Work holder and indexing means



Feb. 13, 1945. c BECKER 2,369,425

WORK HOLDER AND INDEXING MEANS Filed April 5, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

Q /NVENT0R.'- GILBERT C. BECKE Feb 11 13 15. s. c. BECKER INDEXING MEANS HOLDER AND Filed April 5. 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEMTORI- GILBERT BECKER Arr):

G. C. BECKER WORK HOLDER AND INDEXING MEANS Feb. 13, 1945.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 5, 1943 l'llllll'lll INVENTOR. GILBERT QBECK R 1945- s. c. BECKER WORK HOLDER AND INDEXING MEANS Filed April 5, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 wm 3 '5 J INVENTORY- GILBERT 0. BECKER Feb. 13, 1945. C BECKER WORK HOLDER AND INDEXING MEANS Filed April 5, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 13, 1945 I woaK HOLDER AND mama MEANS Gilbert 0. Becker, Robblnsdale, Mlnn., asslgnor to General Mills, Inc., a corporation of Dela ware Application April 5, 1943, Serial No. 481,941

10 Claims.

This invention relates to devices adapted to be clamped to the carriage of a milling machine or shaper or to the table of a drill press or other machine tool for holding a part to be machined.

An object of this invention i to provide a simple and efflcient means for holding work to be operated on by machine tools, such as a drill press'or milling machines, said means including an indexing disk for holding the work parallel to the table or at a definite angle thereto and for rotating the work about a given axis so that a series of operations may be performed thereon'at given angular positions of the work with respect to said axis.

Thi and other objects as will hereinafter appear are accomplished by this inventionwhich are fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings in which V Figur 1 is a perspective view of the device in use on a drill press;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same asused in a different way on a milling machine;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device showing a straight edge used thereon for scribing and the like setting up work ina horizontal position parallel to the zero line; I f

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the work holder shown partly in vertical section;

Fig. 5 is a partial enlarged vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a dowel pin;

Fig. 7 is a partial enlarged section on the broken line 1-1 of Fig. 2; r

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 i a-partial perspective view of the top of the disk as shown in Fig. 2; f

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a number of bushings of various sizesto be used in connection with the central dowel pin as shown in Fig.

Fig. 11 is a perspective of an aligning lug and its screw;

Fig. 12 is a partial perspective of the work holder viewed from the bottom when laid over on it side and showing a parallel bar in use above the disk;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of a disk showing a sinebar in use thereon;

Fig. 14 is a partial sid elevation of the same (01. cry-s9) Figs. 17 and 18 are partial sections on the lines l1 and 18 of Fig. and

Figs. 19 and 20 are perspectives of the bracket and supporting block.

The work holder as illustrated in Fig. 1 com- I prises essentially a frame having a top II, a side I2 and spaced legs l3, I4. The outer faces of the top and sides are accurately machined at right angle to each other as are also the ends as well as the base consisting of the lower edge of the side l2 and of the feet l5 of the legs l3, l4 so that when the device is placed on the base, as shown in Fig. 1, it will rest squarely and accurately on the finished surface of a table A of a drill press as here shown or table B of a milling machine a shown in Fig. 2. In thi way the ,finished surface II of the top H remains accurately parallel to the table A while the finished surface I2 is normal thereto. are secured to the table by means of clamps C and bolts D in any manner known to machinists.

The top His drilled centrally and has a bushing l5 pressed therein the latter being adapted to receive a hollow shaft l8 which in turn is pressed into the central opening in a disk 20. This disk is provided on its inner surface with an annular recess 22 leaving a central hub 23 and annular shoulder 24, the hub being in a plane .010" above the shoulder 24 so that the shoulder alone bears evenly on the top H.

The shaft I8 i shouldered and provided with a reduced screw thread 26 to receive a nut 21 with a washer 28 hearing against the shoulder and spaced slightly from the inner end of the bushing 16 so as to provide a working clearance.

Thus the disk 20 is freely rotatable on the top I will later be described. When not in use these Fig. 16 is a partial vertical section through the bracket and spacer block:

holes are normally provided with Allen-head setscrews 32 for Preventing chips and dust from passing through the disk. An annular plate 34 of metal or the like is placed in the annular recess 22 at the bottom of the disk to prevent injury to the top H. 1 I

A work piece W to be operated on, is secured to the disk 20 by means of clamps 3i and capscrews 31 while the work itself may rest on suitable blocks 38. The work piece may also have a central opening 40 (Figs. 1 and 3) into which may be snugly fitted a suitable bushing 42 which is bored to receive a centering pin 44, the lower end of The legs l3, ll

which is snugly fitted into a hole I 8 in the shaft I8. Thus the work piece W i accurately centered with respect to the disk 28 and when clamped thereon, as shown in Fig. 1, the two will be rotated together.

The disk 28, as shown in Figs. 1, 4,and 7, is provided with an annular outer ledge 48 on which is adapted to bear a clamp 48 which has a shank 48 passing through the top of the work holder, the latter being threaded to receive a nut 58 by means of which it may be drawn down so as to clamp the disk to the top of the work holder. The periphery of the disk is graduated in degrees, the edge of the top being recessed at 52, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, to provide means for inscribing an indicator 54 which is accurately located in line with the center of the disk. A vernier 55 may be used as shown in Fig. 9, if desired, for a more accurate setting of the disk.

Thus it will be seen that with the disk 28 set in one position as shown in Fig. 2 and clamped to the top of the work holder, as Previously described, and the work holder in turn clamped to the table of a machine tool, such as the milling machine here shown, the table can slowly be advanced while an end mill E makes a cut F. -Without removing the work piece from the work holder the disk may be loosened and rotated to another position such, for example, as for making a finishing cut in a slot G, the angular position of the disk being properly located by means of the peripheral graduation with respect to the indicator 54.

A line of holes 58 is provided along one side of the to H, each of which is adapted to receive a dowel pin 58. A similar dowel pin 58 shown on These grooves or the lugs 14 may also serve to position a bracket 88 (Fig. 1) by suitable capscrews 8| to the face I 2'. 'A'n arm 82 is slidably mounted on the bracket and secured inadlusted the far side of the work holder is adapted to be I received in any one of a similarly spaced line of holes 8|. These holes are equally spaced and accurately drilled in lines parallel to the face I2 so that a straight edge or parallel bar 52 may be placed against two dowel pins placed in corresponding holes for accurately positioning the work holder with respect to the table of the machine. The work, and in some cases the top of the disk, may be coated with chalk or layout fluid so that lines may be scr bed thereon for laying out work. The centering pin 44 is cut away at 44'- to its center to receive the bar 82 for scribing radial lines on the work by rotating it and permitting the bar to lie in the position shown in Fig. 3. The spacing of the holes 58 and the width of the bar 62 are preferably made one inch for simplicity.

Also a line of plain drilled holes 54 is placed along one side of the work holder shown in Fig. 1 and a similar line 01' holes 65 is formed along the other side, both of which are equally spaced and parallel to each other and to the corresponding edges of the work holder. Intermediate lines of holes 66 are tapped to receive capscrews for holding lugs, brackets, work pieces and the like on the surface I2.

These outer lines of holes 58, BI, 64 and 85 are located definite distances from the common edge indicated as zero. These holes are adapted to receive dowel pins and parallel bars like 82 which may be placed thereon for accurately lining up the work with respect to the table.

Vertical and. horizontal grooves 18, 12 are accurately formed in the face I2 parallel to and at right angles to the surface II". Lugs I4 are secured therein by screws 15 and these lugs closely fit grooves in the table or carriage for accurately positioning the work holder thereon.

position by means of capscrews 88 so that the center of the arm is always in alignment with the center of the disk when the bracket is pulled tightly against a given side of the lugs in the groove I8. A graduated scale is prefe a ly pl ced on the side 'of the arm to assist in positioning the arm which carries a drill bushing 84.

The drill H may be used to drill a desired hole in the work piece W and then if a similar hole is to be drilled at a point equally distant from the center, the work piece together with the disk 28 to which it is clamped may be rotated through the desired angle as indicated by the peripheral graduations after which the disk is again clamped o the top of the work holder and the drill H is againlowered.

In Fig. 12 the work piece W is shown being located or laid out on the disk 28' by means of a parallel bar 82'.

In Figs. 13 and 14 a disk 88 rotatably mounted on acentral sleeve 88' on a table 8I has a series of openin s 82 in which are pressed bushings 83. A pin 84 is slidably mounted in the table 8I and adapted to enter any of the openings 82 for positioning the disk. The pin 84 is pressed by a spring 85 and has a reduced extension through which passes a bar 88 adapted when the pin 84 is turned to enter a slot 81 to permit the spring 85 to urge the pin 84 into one of the openings 82. The holes 82 are accurately spaced for jig drill- Between the openings 82 are located a series of tapped holes 88 in the disk whereby a work piece may be bolted thereto. .Sleeve 88* has a pin 88 located centrally therein. A pin I88 may then be set in any of the openings 82. Since these pins are all accurately of the same diameter, a bar- I8I may be laid across them to position work W on the disk and it may then be clamped in ad- ,iusted position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for any desired machining operation or layout.

In Figs. 15 to 20 is shown a modified form of the device in which a spacer block II8 of accurate uniform thickness is placed between the work holder and bracket I88 and is held in place by screws I8I. The bracket is held in place by capscrews I8I which pass through the bracket, and positioning lugs I I2 and I I3 and screw into tapped holes in the work holder. These lugs fit accurately in accurately machined and ground guideways in the work holder and bracket. The arm I82 has a rib I82 on its lower surface fitting accurately into a groove in the top of the bracket and is retained in adjusted position by bolts or eapscrews I83. This permits use of the device on a larger class of work particularly one having elements extending beyond the periphery of the disk.

Thus it will be seen that a very simple and eflicient work holder is provided for the purpose outlined and one which can be economically manufactured.

While I have shown and described but. a few embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, may be made which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1'. A work holder comprising a rigid frame having a top and base in spaced parallel planes, a

disk resting on the top and having a shaft journalled in the top, the disk having a bearing on the top only near the periphery of the disk and being graduated on its periphery with respect to a line on top, a plurality of means uniformly.

position on the frame, a, pin having its axis coincident with the axis of the disk, a bushing on the pin adapted to fit into a central hole in a work piece so as to locate the latter axially on the disk, the pin being cut away at the upper end on a longitudinal axis to accommodates.

straight edge, and means for securing a work piece on the disk.

3. A work holder comprising a rigid frame having a top and base in spaced parallelplanes, a

disk resting on the top and having a shaft journalledin the top, the disk being graduated on its periphery with respect to a line on top, means on the top for securing the disk in any adjusted position on the frame, and means for securing a work piece on the disk, said frame having a side at right angles to the top and having a series of holes along each side adapted to receive dowel pins, the holes in the two series having the same spacing so that a bar laid across corre-- sponding dowel pins of the two series will assume a series of parallel positions along said side.

4. A work holder having a rigid frame comprising a top and side at right angles to each other, spaced legs having finished surfaces opposite the top and side so as to stand on said surfaces to bring the top or side uppermost and parallel to the surface of a table on which the holder rests, a disk resting on the top and having a shaft joumalled in the top, the disk being graduated on its periphery with respect to a line on top, means on the top for securing the disk in any adjusted position on the frame, means for securing a work piece on the disk, and clamping means operable on the legs for securing the work holder on said table.

5. A work holder comprising a rigid frame having a top and base in spaced parallel planes, a disk resting on the top and having a shaft journalled in the top, the disk being graduated on its periphery with respect to a line on top, a ledge on the rim of the disk, clamps on the top bearing on said ledge for securing the disk in any adjusted position, a pin having its axis coincident with the axis of the disk, 8. bushing on the pin adapted to fit into a central hole in a work piece so as to locate the latter axially on the disk,

the pin being cut away at the upper end on a longitudinal axis to accommodate a straight edge, the tops of the clamps lying below the level of the top of the disk.

6. A work holder comprising a rigid frame having a top and base in spaced parallel planes, a disk resting along an annular ring on its periphriphery with respect to a line on top, means on the top for clamping the disk above said annular ring in any adjusted position on the frame, means for securing a work piece on the disk, and a hard replaceable sheet between the disk and top to protect the top and within said annular ring.

7. A work holder comprising a rigid frame having a top and base in spaced parallel planes, a Side at right angles thereto, means for securing the work holder to a flat table while resting on either its base or side, a disk bearing on an annular ring on its periphery on the top and having a shaft joumalled in the top, the disk being graduated on its periphery with respect to a line on top, me bearing on the disk above the annular ring pressing it on the top for securing the disk in any adjusted position on the frame, and means for securing a work piece on the disk. 7

8. A work holder comprising a rigid frame, a

disk rotatably mounted on the frame and having a bearing thereon only near its periphery, means for clamping the disk near its periphery in any adjusted position on the frame, means for securing a work piece in the frame at said disk, a series of spaced holes in the frame at each side of the disk, dowels adapted to fit tightly into a hole of each series, and a bar adapted to lie across said dowels to position the bar with respect to said work piece.

9. A work holder comprising a rigid frame having a top and base in spaced parallel planes, a disk resting on the top and having a shaft journalled in the top, the disk being graduated on its periphery with respect to a line on top, means on the top for securing the disk in any adjusted position on the frame, and means for securing a work piece on the disk, the top having a series of holes along each side adapted to receive dowel pins, the holes of the two series having the same spacing so that a bar laid across corresponding dowel pins of the two 'series will assume a series of parallel positions above the disk and work piece.

10. A work holder comprising a rigid frame having a top and base in spaced parallel planes,

a disk resting on the top and having a shaft journalled in the top, the disk being graduated on its periphery with respect to a line on top, means on the top for securing the disk in any adjusted position on the frame, and means for securing a work piece on the disk, the top having a series of holes along each side adapted to receive dowel pins, the holes of the two series having the same spacing so that a bar laid across corresponding dowel pins of the two series will assume a series of parallel positions above the disk and work piece, two of said corresponding holes being so placed that a side of the bar will pass through the center of the disk.

omnrm'r c. BECKER. 

